The family name Sylvestr is derived from the Germanic personal name Silvester, which comes from the word "silva," meaning "wood." The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in France were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name.

Sylvestr Early Origins

The surname Sylvestr was first found in Lorraine, where this distinguished family was established in early times.

Sylvestr Spelling Variations

Sylvestr Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sylvestre, Silvestre, de Sylvestre, de Silvestre and others.

Sylvestr Early History

Sylvestr Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sylvestr research. Another 223 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1621, 1691, 1698, 1706, 1738, 1740, 1758, 1767, 1795, 1823, 1838, and 1876 are included under the topic Early Sylvestr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sylvestr Early Notables (pre 1700)

Sylvestr Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notable in the family name was Israel Silvestre the Younger (1620-1691), prolific French draftsman, etcher and print dealer; and his son, Louis de Silvestre (1675-1760), a French portrait and history painter...

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sylvestr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Nicolas Sylvestre, who married Barbe Nepveu in Quebec City in 1667; Pierre Sylvestre, who married Marie-Anne Lebadie in Pte-aux-Trembles in 1700; Jean Sylvestre, who married Marie-Anne Benoit-Abel in 1715 in Deschambault.

The Sylvestr Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Sylvestr Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.